TEE BREEDS OF SHEEP 259 



The head is broad between the eyes, which are very bright 

 and alert, the ears are carried erect, and both head and ears, 

 as well as legs, are covered with fine white hair, no wool, 

 the fleece ending abruptly with a " ruff " just back of the 

 ears and about the throat. The Cheviot fleece is some- 

 what longer and consequently more open than that of the 

 Down breeds, classing as half combing, and is snowy white 



Fig. 128. — A Cheviot ram. 



instead of the heavy gray tinge noticeable in most Down 

 fleeces. The clip is light — four and one half to five pounds 

 of washed wool. Cheviots dress well and cut a very good 

 grade of mutton. They have a very alert carriage. 



Too light a fleece, a form deflcient in compactness and a 

 timid disposition are sometimes encountered in this breed. 



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